PCB bars players from giving interviews to print, electronic media

Lahore, July 31 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has barred cricketers from giving interviews to print and electronic media without obtaining prior permission from it.

"We have sent reminders to all the players who are under central contract to follow obligations and not give interviews without prior permission from us," a PCB spokesperson said.

PCB's latest guideline comes after contentious remarks by Shoiab Akhtar, who in a television interview had blamed the board officials for his omission from the World Twenty20 squad.

Akhtar, who was axed from the World T20 team after being initially selected for the tournament due to a skin infection, had said that he was considering suing team managers for releasing his 'private medical report.'

During the interview, the controversial pacer had described the former PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf, as a 'second grade person', and said that all previous administrators had done nothing but ruined the game in the country.

It may be recalled that Akhtar, 34, was banned for five years after he publicly criticised the PCB for discontinuing his central contract.

Later, the ban was reduced to 18 months by a PCB tribunal. However, the tribunal slapped a fine of 7 million rupees on him. (ANI)